Los Angeles: Your City, Your Guide

Your Guide to Happy Hour in Marina del Rey

BY JAMES FAMERA

You already know the best happy hour spots in Venice and Santa Monica. But what about that other beach city on the Westside? Here is your guide to the best happy hours in Marina del Rey.

El Torito: The margaritas are strong, tacos are a buck on Tuesdays, and the ice cream is deep-fried. Yep, I'm talking about El Torito – quite possibly the best Mexican restaurant in Marina del Rey. But aside from the superb quality of its food and drinks, what really makes El Torito great is its happy hour. It runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekdays. Just about everything on their drink menu is $4 during happy hour, including house wines, domestic draft beer, well drinks, and yes, even their margaritas. Sound good? Then you'll also like the fact that happy hour also includes $3 off select appetizers. I figured you'd like the sound of that.

13715 Fiji Way, 90292; 310-823-8941

Killer Shrimp: Like its name says, the shrimp here is killer. Perhaps that's why its signature dish is called “killer shrimp.” Hmm… could be. For 20 years Killer Shrimp has been serving up delectable seafood, cooked in their special spicy sauce, to thousands of Marina del Rey's devoted shrimp-lovers. But the real reason folks come here is the outstanding happy hour, happening weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to midnight; and weekends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and once again from 10 p.m. to midnight. Drink specials include well drinks for $5, red and white wine for $4, and domestic beer for $3. As far as food goes, their happy hour includes popcorn shrimp for $6, fish tacos for $5, and clam chowder for $4. Talk about killer prices (pun intended).

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4211 Admiralty Way, 90292; 310-578-2293

Cafe del Rey: It may not be the most original name. But with happy hour happening everyday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and one again from 9 p.m. to close, we'll give them a pass. Many of their specialty drinks, like sangria, chocolate orange martini, and jolly rancher rum, are $6, as well as glasses of wine. Budweiser and Bud Light are $3, with truffle fries, steamed black mussels, and several other delicious appetizers also going for $6. You can download Cafe del Rey's full happy hour menu by visiting their website.

The Warehouse Restaurant

4451 Admiralty Way, 90292; 310-823-6395

The Warehouse Restaurant: It's been around since 1969, and has the distinct pleasure of being one of the first businesses to open its doors in the area. Happy hour is Monday thru Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and includes draft beers for $3, glasses of their house wine for $3.50, well drinks for $3.25, and $5 margaritas and mai tais. Food is also included on their happy hour menu, and includes everything from chicken wings to shrimp cocktail, with prices starting at $5. The Warehouse Restaurant's full lunch and dinner menu is available on their website.

4499 Admiralty Way, 90292; 310-823-5451

Brennan's Pub: You may think that Brennan's Pub has a great happy hour – and they do. But every Thursday at 9 p.m. they have outdoor turtle races, where for $5 you can rent one of their in-house reptiles and cheer it on to victory. Hey, as long as they beer is flowing, it's all good fun. Happy hour happens right before it, from 4 p.m. .to 7 p.m. every Monday thru Friday, and includes half prices appetizers, as well as discounted drinks. You can drink some cheap beer, and then watch incredibly slow moving turtles race one another – whoever said America was on the decline?4089 Lincoln Blvd., 90292; 310-821-6622

Mo's Place: No, it's not the same spot that inspired Moe's Tavern on The Simpsons. But wouldn't that pretty awesome if it was? Still, for all that Mo's Place is lacking – at least among Simpsons nuts – it clearly makes up for with its happy hour specials. Everyday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can get well drinks, draft brew, and wine for $3. Even their jager shots are $3, which, I might add, can double as a Flaming Moe once you put a flame to it. Just saying…

203 Culver Blvd., 90293; 310-822-6422

Tony P's Dockside Grill: With eight 65” high-definition TVs, and over 100 beers from all over the world to choose from, Tony P's in Marina del Rey is clearly a great spot to watch sports. And if the game just happens to be on between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday thru Friday, well then, even better! Happy hour includes appetizers for $4.50 – $5.50, well drinks and domestic beer for $3.25, and martinis for $6.50. Check out www.tonyps.com for more details.

4445 Admiralty Way, 90292; 310-823-4534

Sports Harbour: I know what you’re thinking, why would an American sports bar employ British spelling in its name? There’s no “u” in harbor! Okay, not that we got that cleared up, let’s talk about their happy hour. It happens Monday thru Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and includes draft beers for $2.75 and well drinks for $4. Sports Harbour is also a great spot to relax with some buddies and watch the football game – the American kind with helmets and pads. Just needed to clear that up.